Important progress has been gained in the journey towards understanding response to biologic therapy in severe asthma through the International Severe Asthma Registry (ISAR) study “Impact of pre-biologic impairment on meeting domain-specific biologic responder definitions in patients with severe asthma (BEAM)”, published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology and delivered in collaboration with respiratory experts and AstraZeneca.
A team of researchers from across the globe including Dr. Luis Perez-de-Llano and corresponding author Prof. David Price from University of Aberdeen evaluated change in asthma outcomes for patients commenced on biologic medications, from treatment initiation to one year following treatment. The study utilizes data across 22 countries participating in ISAR and focuses on change to rates of asthma attacks, asthma control, long-term oral steroid medication use, and lung function.
While significant improvements in asthma outcomes following biologic treatment were evident for all categories studied, importantly, the results highlighted that those with a greater severity of disease before treatment showed the greatest magnitude of response. Of patients who experienced for example a high number of asthma attacks (six or more per year) prior to treatment with biologics; 90% improved with treatment, compared to 70% for those with low numbers of asthma attacks per year (one annually).
These results bring light to the powerful change in asthma outcomes possible upon commencement of biologics, particularly to those with great need: patients with high disease severity. Through harnessing of these crucial results, the study brings us one step closer to accurate prediction of response to biologic treatment in asthma. To learn more about the study, please read the full publication in Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, as well as the accompanying slide deck.
About ISAR
The International Severe Asthma Registry is a global collaborative initiative to gather anonymous, longitudinal, real-life data for patients with severe asthma. ISAR offers a rich source of real-life data for scientific research to understand and improve symptoms, treatments, and patient outcomes for severe asthma.